Rick Perry on War & Peace

Republican Governor (TX)

I would send troops back into Iraq, to exclude Iran

Q: [to Santorum]; Would you send troops back into Iraq right now?

SANTORUM: Well, I wouldn't right now.

PERRY: I would send troops back into Iraq.

Q: Now?

PERRY: I think we start talking with the Iraqi individuals there. The idea that we allow
the Iranians to come back into Iraq and take over that country, with all of the treasure, both in blood and money, that we have spent in Iraq, because this president wants to kowtow to his liberal, leftist base and move out those men and women.
He could have renegotiated that timeframe. I think it is a huge error for us. We're going to see Iran, in my opinion, move back in at literally the speed of light. They're going to move back in, and all of the work that we've done, every young man that
has lost his life in that country will have been for nothing because we've got a president that does not understand what's going on in that region.

Sanction the Iranian Central Bank; no-fly zone over Syria

Q: Do you believe that there is any set of sanctions that could be put in place that would stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon?

PERRY: Absolutely. We need to sanction the Iranian Central Bank. That would be one of the most powerful ways to impact
that. That is what we need to do before we ever start having any conversations about a military strike, is to use every sanction that we have. And when you sanction the Iranian Central Bank, that will shut down that economy.
At that particular point in time, they truly have to deal with the US. All of them working together--and I'm talking about Syria--bring them into the mix as well. One of the options is to have a no-fly zone over
Syria at the same time you're putting those types of sanctions against Iran. And in that moment, they will understand that America is serious. This President refuses to do that, and it's another show of lack of leadership from the President of the US.

Shut down the Iranian Central Bank to stop nukes

Q: [to Romney]: Would it be worth going to war to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon?

Romney: The president should have built credible threat of military action, and made it very clear that the
US is willing, in the final analysis, if necessary, to take military action to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

Paul: No, it isn't worthwhile.
I'm afraid what's going on right now is similar to the war propaganda that went on against Iraq.

Perry: The issue that has not been raised is that this country can sanction the
Iranian Central Bank right now and shut down that country's economy. And that's what this president needs to do and the American people need to stand up and force him to make that stand today.

Complete the mission in Afghanistan, with no timetable

Perry: The mission must be completed there. The idea that we will have wasted our treasure and the lives of young Americans to not secure Afghanistan is not appropriate.
But the idea that we would give a timetable to our enemy is irresponsible from a military standpoint, it's irresponsible from the lives of our young men and women. And it is irresponsible leadership of this president to give a timetable to pull out of
any country that we're in conflict with.

Q: What's your appraisal of the combat situation?

Perry: I think we're making progress there. The issue is training up the Afghan security forces so that we're comfortable that they can protect that
citizenry and continue to take the war to the terrorists that are using Afghanistan--and Pakistan, I might add. Our military is doing the best job that they can, considering this administration is telegraphing to the enemy when we're going to pull out.

Transition out of Afghanistan but keep non-military presence

Q: Is $2 billion a week money well spent by US taxpayers in Afghanistan?

HUNTSMAN: We don't need 100,000 troops in Afghanistan nation-building at a time when this nation needs to be built. The time has come for us to get out of Afghanistan.

PERRY:
I agree with Gov. Huntsman when we talk about it's time to bring our young men and women home and as soon and obviously as safely as we can. But it's also really important for us to continue to have a presence there. And I think the entire conversation
about, how do we deliver our aid to those countries, and is it best spent with 100,000 military who have the target on their back in Afghanistan, I don't think so at this particular point in time. I think the best way for us to be able to impact that
country is to make a transition to where that country's military is going to be taking care of their people, bring our young men and women home, and continue to help them build the infrastructure that we need, whether it's schools or otherwise.

Secure freedom for oppressed people in Iraq and Afghanistan

Today our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are on patrol, securing freedom for oppressed people, guarding the tender shoots of a blooming democracy, working to eradicate an infestation of terrorism, so that it does not revisit our nation.
Media reports from the front lines are filled with stories of gloom, defeat and failure, and talking heads, whose only experience with sand and heat are from the beaches of Martha's Vineyard, sound the cry to retreat, but those who serve on the front line
tell a different story. Time and again, I speak to soldiers who have seen the positive impact of US efforts and tell of Iraqi communities responding to the rule of law. We have come too far and sacrificed too much to simply walk away and allow the dark
forces of oppression to regain control of these places that have been consecrated by the blood of our nation's best. Instead, we must lead boldly, focused on preserving order as we prepare people who once lived in bondage to defend their own freedom.